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DESTINED TO TRAVEL reports

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Trip Report and Focus on Tanzania		 February 2011

Kay Australia
Christchurch, New Zealand
AIRLINE FEES TO INCREASE

Just when you thought fees couldn't go any higher, airlines are now talking of raising their fees and imposing new fees.  Airmerican has already taken that step and ceased using some internet sites and others are considering the same and/or imposing new fees for using specific sites.  Look for more fees to be added to that airline ticket in the near future. And remember, some airlines will charge you for  using sites to purchase your ticket, other than their own.  Pay attention - Be Alert.
Jim and Kay in Australia  Australia Group
 

Kay and Jim, Tour Director                                    Destined To Travel Group 

 


Trip Ramblings:   Australia, New Zealand and Fiji

Most of you know I just returned from a very long trip to Australia (7 days), New Zealand (7 days) and Fiji (3 nights).  We flew on Quantas Airways/Air Pacific direct to Cairns.

Accompanying me on this trip were my niece and fiance, you're probably familiar with them as they have traveled to Africa  and other destinations with me many times, also friends Pat and Cynthia who have also traveled with me on several trips to Africa, Rosie, who traveled with me to China and South Africa and new friends Diana and Nancy.  See the group pictured above.  This trip was part of a larger group with Collette Vacations, but nonetheless still exciting and full of new adventures.  

We started in Cairns (pronounced Cannes), where we cruised to the Great Barrier Reef and then visited the Rainforest.  If you love water and want a fantastic underwater experience, this is the place for you.  Our hotel was centrally located  near the Esplanade and we explored the city and all its restaurants and shops.  From there we flew to Syndey, a large city that offered much to do and see and we did.  Once again staying at a centrally located hotel, we explored the town, the monorail system, and all it's many and varied activities.  We dined on the Blue Train, (Australia's version of the BLUE TRAIN, but not close to South Africa's).  A private tour of the Sydney Opera House was fascinating as we learned of it's history and the challenges faced in it's construction from its inception to completion and additional structural changes.  What a feat and what a marvelous site.  Jimmy Buffet was appearing there while we were there.  We were fortunate enough to see his band rehearse, and two of our group attended his concert.

Then it was off to New Zealand, where the picturesque city presented us with the most spectacular and dramatic views.  From our centrally located hotel we spent a day at leisure in Christchurch and explored the town, the Botanical Gardens and the shops, of course. Milford Sound in Queenstown was fabulous, the most picturesque and spectacular scenery cruising amongst the fjords I have seen.

Our last leg was Fiji which was breathtakingly beautiful, and everyone enjoyed the island experience and our tour of the island.  We swam, we drank, we played, we laid in the sun, and the shade, we walked the beach and cruised the fabulous grounds of the Sofitel, the Marina and other stops along the way.   What more could you ask for?

All in all, it was a fabulous experience and the entire group enjoyed every moment of the experience.  We returned with fond memories, lots of  'extra' bags and a renewed sense of gratitude for what we experienced on this trip. Personally, I was overly impressed with our tour director who accompanied us throughout the trip.  With my knowledge of the business I knew that his services, professionalism, and knowledge, went way above the call of his professional responsibilities, he took personal responsibility for making this trip an extremely smooth experience and made me know how fortunate we were to have him, from airport meet and greet to airport departure.    He does other tours which I will be looking into for future trips.  Stay tuned.  In the meantime, here is the link
 
for the photos:


UPDATE:  MIDDLE EAST:  EGYPT  and ISRAEL/JORDAN are on the back burner for now, until the Middle East demonstrates more stability and political reform.  LOOK FOR THESE TRIPS LATER IN 2012, if the situation has stabilized.  They are definitely on many bucket lists and I'd like to organize travel groups once I know the situation is stabilized and guests would feel more comfortable.

 

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL is replacing it for the same time frame.  

SIGN UP NOW! 

 

BOOK BY MARCH 31ST.  13 DAYS

16 Meals: 11 Breakfasts , 5 Dinners

 

Spain's Costa del Sol & Portugal's Riviera
Departure Date - 09/22/2011, Tour Rate - $2399 based on double   

Single Supplement:  Additional $700.00 

Deposit $350.00 per person plus insurance $200.00 per person

 

 

FOCUSING ON AFRICAN TRAVEL 


SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 2012

 

TANZANIA AFRICA - MARCH 2012

 

BOTSWANA - MAY 2012

 

SOUTH AFRICA - Separate Flyer will be sent for this trip with more details.  Look for that email later this week.  Awaiting to see if I have six guests to sign up to determine if this trip will operate. 

 

TANZANIA SERENGETI SPLENDOR

- In March 2011 in preparation for my 2012  planned group  safari, I will be heading to Tanzania, to scout out properties for that trip. I spotlight this experience, because IT will be the trip to do, before it may be too late to see it in it's natural state.  I urge you to plan for this one.

 

To coin a Jamaican advertising slogan...once you go, you'll know - will answer your question about why I continue to return and why I would like you to experience it. 

 

BOTSWANA:  - More on this trip at a later date.

 

Over the past five years, I've been to Tanzania and Kenya many many times and I will continue to go in the future should the occasion arise. or if I have guests who express an interest. However, my planned safari in March 2012 will most likely be the last one I promote for a while.  I  want to concentrate on Botswana, Namibia and Zambia for the near future.  If the Serengeti is a destination that has fascinated you, and it will, be sure and sign up for this one.  Details will appear in a newsletter after I return and I will be personally sending travel invites to many of you!

 

I will continue to do South Africa because there seems to be a large group that is interested in that area, and as you see from this newsletter, I will be doing back to back trips.     

 

Other non-Africa trips are also planned, Amazon, Argentina/Chile, look for more. 


WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:



An excerpt from a letter written by a friend/client I took to Africa with me on a FAM in 2006. 

   
Kay, thank you for the fabulous travel opportunity and experience you gave me.  Thank you for convincing me that retirement was not about sitting around, or not working, retirement was the time to enjoy the freedom from working and creating pleasurable experiences that would last the rest of your life. I don't think I would have thought about traveling anywhere outside of the USA to be honest, had I not known you, but I have to tell you that AFRICA was on the top of my dream list if I was going to go anywhere.  All the  reasons I came up with for not traveling you knocked down, and in the end, you were right.  I had every excuse in the book and you had an answer for each of them. 

I recall after a specific conversation we had, when you said.....if not now, WHEN?  Something clicked, even though you'd said it many times, but on that day, at that time, something seemed to resonate with me.  You provided an opportunity for me to travel with you and  I knew if I didn't accept it, it would not come again.  I could never be more grateful for you doing that., for you seeing through all the negativity, the attitude, yet still taking the time to talk to me. NEVER!!!! South Africa, I could not believe I'd be going. When I look back at it now, I can't imagine all those reservations I had, about anything.  And you know when I kissed the ground in Africa, I felt like I was 'home'.  I was welcomed with open arms, I was comfortable.  I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it.  Everything I was seeing, I could never imagine why I was scared, what I was hesitant about.  The wildlife experience was something I could never have imagined, ever.  WOW, I am not sure I could ever go to a zoo again and I recall you telling me that too.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see a leopard or any of the many animals I saw, I'm already thinking about another trip.  A few nights just wasn't enough.  You were right, AGAIN. Now just WHEN are we going back?

I've received many letters and comments from travelers and will be publishing some of them in future newsletters.

  

THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS AND SUPPORT!  

Thanks also to my travel colleagues reading this,  who have and continue to inspire me, travel with me, and share ideas with me, and even referred clients, and worked together with me.  I am always happy to work with you!  Sharing ideas helps us all to excel in the service we offer to our traveling guests. 

KAY TROTMAN, Destination Specialist
aka SAFARI KAY
951-898-6094